Gay marriage backers urge Ohio AG to drop appeal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Supporters of gay marriage in Ohio plan to deliver petitions to the state's attorney general urging him to stop his appeal of a federal judge's order on same-sex marriage.

The state is appealing Judge Timothy Black's ruling ordering it to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. Most of the judge's April 14 ruling was put on hold pending the anticipated appeal.

Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine has said marriage is between a man and a woman and that he will continue defending Ohio's voter-approved gay marriage ban.

The group Why Marriage Matters Ohio says it will deliver thousands of signatures to DeWine's office Thursday morning, demanding that he drop the appeal.

Campaign manager Michael Premo calls the appeal a waste of taxpayer money and an injustice to Ohio families.